ZX Spectrum Basic Programming

ZX Spectrum Basic Programming

From the introduction:

Whether you read the Introductory book first, or came straight here, you should be aware that commands are obeyed straight away, and instructions begin with a line number and are stored away for later. You should also be aware of the commands: PRINT, LET, and INPUT (which can be used on all machines that use BASIC), and BORDER, PAPER and BEEP (which are used on the Spectrum).

This BASIC manual starts by repeating some things given in the introductory booklet, but in much more detail, telling you exactly what you can and cannot do. You will also find some exercises at the end of each chapter. Don't ignore these; many of them illustrate points that are hinted at in the text. Look through them, and do any that interest you, or that seem to cover ground that you don't understand properly.

Whatever else you do, keep using the computer. If you have the question "what does it do if I tell it such and such?" then the answer is easy: type it in and see. Whenever the manual tells you to type something in, always ask yourself, "what could I type instead?", and try out your replies. The more of your own programs you write, the better you will understand the computer.

At the end of this programming manual are some appendices. These include sections on the way the memory is organised, how the computer manipulates numbers, and a series of example programs illustrating the power of the ZX Spectrum.

ZX Spectrum Basic Programming Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
A guide to the ZX Spectrum keyboard and a description of the display.

Chapter 2 Basic programming concepts
Programs, line numbers, editing programs using EDIT, RUN, LIST, GO TO, CONTINUE, INPUT, NEW, REM, PRINT, STOP in INPUT data, BREAK

Chapter 3 Decisions
IF, STOP, =, <, >, <=, >=, <>

Chapter 4 Looping
FOR, NEXT, TO, STEP. Introducing FOR-NEXT loops

Chapter 5 Subroutines
GO SUB, RETURN

Chapter 6 READ, DATA, RESTORE

Chapter 7 Expressions
Mathematical expressions using +, -, *, /, scientific notation and variable names.

Chapter 8 Strings
Handling strings and slicing.

Chapter 9 Functions
User-definable functions and others readily available on the ZX Spectrum using DEF, LEN, STR$, VAL, SGN, ABS, INT, SQR, FN

Chapter 10 Mathematical functions
Including simple trigonometry: , PI, EXP, LN, SIN, COS, TAN, ASN, ACS, ATN

Chapter 11 Random numbers
Using RANDOMIZE and RND.

Chapter 12 Arrays
Strings and numeric arrays - DIM.

Chapter 13 Conditions
Logical expressions: AND, OR, NOT.

Chapter 14 The character set
A look at the ZX character set including graphics and how to construct your own graphic characters: CODE, CHR$, POKE, PEEK, USR, BIN

Chapter 15 More about PRINT and INPUT
Some more complicated uses of these commands using separators: ,;' , TAB, AT, LINE and CLS.

Chapter 16 Colours
INK, PAPER, FLASH, BRIGHT, INVERSE, OVER, BORDER

Chapter 17 Graphics
PLOT, DRAW, CIRCLE, POINT

Chapter 18 Motion
Animated graphics using PAUSE, INKEY$ and PEEK.

Chapter 19 BEEP
The sound capabilities of the ZX Spectrum using BEEP.

Chapter 20 Tape Storage
How to store your programs on cassette tape: SAVE, LOAD, VERIFY, MERGE.

Chapter 21 The ZX Printer
LLIST, LPRINT, COPY

Chapter 22 Other equipment
Connecting the ZX Spectrum to other machines and devices.

Chapter 23 IN and OUT
Input/Output ports and their uses: IN, OUT

Chapter 24 The memory
A look at the internal workings of the ZX Spectrum: CLEAR

Chapter 25 The system variables

Chapter 26 Using machine code
Introducing USR with a numeric argument

APPENDIX A The character set
APPENDIX B Reports
APPENDIX C A description of the ZX Spectrum for reference
APPENDIX D Example programs
APPENDIX E Binary and hexadecimal